Photos by Michael Woodall “A Mexican kitchen is definitely lived in and enjoyed. There should be collections everywhere, stacked textiles, dried herbs, stone mortars and pestles. It should have a frenetic quality, a feast for the senses.” — Deborah Davis, general manager of Santa Fe Saavy in Scottsdale

Punch up your kitchen by blending Mexican-inspired form with function.

Nothing beckons you into a hacienda’s cocinA, or kitchen, quite like the aroma of rice and beans, simmering stews and chopped cilantro. But to truly capture the aesthetic essence of a Mexican-inspired kitchen, it’s all about vivid colors, authentic handcrafted décor and textiles, and rustic furnishings. In fact, a south-of-the-border theme invites guests into the bustling hub of the home with warmth and perhaps even a bit of chaos. “A Mexican kitchen is definitely lived in and enjoyed. There should be collections everywhere, stacked textiles, dried herbs, stone mortars and pestles. It should have a frenetic quality, a feast for the senses,” suggests Deborah Davis, general manager of Santa Fe Saavy, a fine home furnishings shop in Scottsdale. Here’s what Valley experts recommend when adding Mexican flavor to your kitchen.

Color
Intense, saturated paint colors are a must in any Mexican kitchen. “Think about Talavera plates. If you picked one up and looked at all those colors, you’ll find your choices for a Mexican kitchen,” says Scottsdale interior designer Billi Springer. Paprika red, terracotta orange or goldenrod colors work well, as does the cobalt blue characteristic of  Mexican hand-painted ceramics and dishes.

If vivid walls are too much, cabinetry and tile can add colorful punch without overwhelming your Southwestern, or Midwestern, sensibilities.

Cabinets
You’ve fallen in love with the dishes, platters and woven baskets you’ve collected, so flaunt them. Open cabinets are the hallmark of Mexican kitchens. “Some open cabinetry is nice to frame a collection of Mexican dinnerware – whether authentic Talavera or handmade crockery that, of course, doesn’t stack well and adds to the frenzy,” Davis says.

If you don’t want to install new cabinets, John Foley, owner of Hacienda Custom Remodeling in Phoenix, suggests taking the doors off the ones you have and applying paint. “I lean toward painting cabinets reds, oranges and yellows – a spicy Mexican paint,” he says, adding that D-I-Yers can “antique” a cabinet by adding darker hues into the finish for an older, rustic look.

Tile
Hand-painted or Saltillo tile adds color, fun and flair, and can be used in a variety of ways. Sue Shelton, president of Handcrafted Tile in Phoenix, offers these suggestions:

• Backsplashes. Say goodbye to your 3-inch laminate backsplash border; say hello to a dramatic hand-painted tile backsplash. “It beautifies and it makes the stove area easier to clean than drywall,” Shelton says.

• Countertops. Some designers steer clear of tile countertops for fear of dating a kitchen, but Shelton endorses tile in a Mexican kitchen. “Hand-painted tile can offer something special to your kitchen,” she says. If you don’t want to regularly clean grout, a stone countertop also works well.

• Door surrounds. When your guests walk through a decorative tile door surround, they’ll feel transported to Mexico. You can go heavy or subtle, 4-inch or perhaps 6-inch, depending on the size of your entryway. “There are even molding pieces that come out of Mexico that finish the edge look and give it a little more ‘umph,’” Shelton says.

• Flooring. Shelton says Saltillo tile flooring is still hot. “The Saltillo tile is definitely going to give you that Mexican hacienda look. I don’t think it will ever completely go out of style,” she says.

Accents
Springer recommends Spanish-influenced woven baskets, Milagros, silver platters or black-and-white photographs of Mexican scenes for the walls. Shelton says 4-inch or 6-inch tiled murals of a fruit basket or flower pot make a wonderful focal point. Spice racks, hanging shelves, pottery, copper cauldrons and clay jugs also create impact.

In a country-style Mexican kitchen, Foley suggests hanging old garden tools; ornamental, handcrafted iron pieces; or a tin or iron chandelier. “A Mexican or Spanish style kitchen is a little bit rustic and almost unfinished,” he says, adding that older wood planks on the ceiling hearken to Mexican haciendas.

Don’t be shy about mixing and matching patterns, colors and designs. “There should be baskets, fresh produce, hand-blown glassware, colorful tile, painted walls, glorious flowers and hand-carved wood,” Davis says.

Furniture
You don’t have to forsake modern, stainless steel appliances, just complement them smartly with “solid wood cabinetry with hand-forged iron pulls and hand-carved solid wood furnishings,” Davis says.

For elegant Mexican in-kitchen dining, choose a dark, old oak pedestal table, perhaps with hand-carved edges. “You could put in a simple chair, or each chair could be a different style. This is very attractive and not too chaotic,” Springer says. Zinc top tables with a carved chair also create an elegant look.

For a country look, top a simple table with Mexican textiles. “Drape different cloths all the way to the floor and place a square cloth on top. Add simple wood chairs, and you’ve got a great look,” Springer says.

An authentic Mexican kitchen blends form with function. Its design puts cilantro, gourds, grinders and presses within easy reach, while creating a colorful, inviting atmosphere for daily living and the weekend fiesta.

RESOURCES
Billi Springer and Associates
7550 E. McDonald Drive, Ste. G,
Scottsdale
480-994-4887
billispringer.com

Hacienda Custom Remodeling
52 S. First St., Phoenix
602-818-7309
haciendacustomconcepts.com

Handcrafted Tile
2437 E. Jackson St., Phoenix
602-275-5512
handcraftedtile.net

Santa Fe Saavy
7671 E. Acoma Drive, Scottsdale
480-991-6719
santafesaavy.com

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